WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to help bring an end to the crisis in Darfur, The Elders, a group of leaders dedicated to helping resolve major global conflicts, today released an action plan aimed to galvanize key players -- the Sudanese government, rebel groups, global leaders and civil society -- to re-double their efforts to end suffering in the region.
The action plan -- Bringing Hope, Forging Peace -- is based on a trip to Sudan by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former US President Jimmy Carter, former Mozambique Minister of Education Graca Machel, and former UN Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi. As their first public mission, the Elders' primary focus was to meet with people on the frontlines and listen to those who have been least heard, including women's groups and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Darfur's El-Fasher, Nyala, and Kebkabiya areas. They also met with Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir in Khartoum; representatives of opposition parties; the Government of Southern Sudan in Juba; and tribal and civil society leaders. The release of the plan comes at a critical time amidst continuing violence and skepticism over whether Darfur peace talks and the deployment of a joint United Nations-African Union Peacekeeping Mission (UNAMID) will go forward as scheduled. The Elders have urged leaders in the U.S., Africa, and Europe to support UNAMID.
"Innocent Darfuris continue to be at grave risk," said Archbishop Tutu. "We will do what we can to encourage the Sudanese government, Darfur rebel groups and the international community to prevent a new cycle of violence."
The Report: Giving a Window into Darfur
Supplementing the report is an exclusive video from the Elders' mission and the "Darfur Action Center" which highlights the important work of international humanitarian and advocacy organizations working on Darfur and allows global citizens to learn more about the Elders' recommendations. This information can be found on http://www.theelders.org/.
"Our goal is to alleviate the suffering of Darfuris who are at risk," said Machel. "One way we can do that is to support the advocacy and humanitarian groups that have been tireless in their efforts and unmoving in their resolve to protect innocents, stop sexual violence, spur governments to action, and keep the issue in the global spotlight."
Voices of Darfuris
Despite efforts by Sudanese security forces to prevent President Carter from meeting with some Darfuris, The Elders were successful in hearing from a wide spectrum of the Darfuri society.
"As Elders, we can give voice to those who have not been heard," said Carter. "In Darfur, we were adamant about listening to people on the ground, who were hopeful in spite of the gravity of their situation. The core of Darfur's crisis is the simple fact that those who have the greatest stake in the future have the least voice in defining it."
The Elders support the efforts of the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue and Consultation group (DDDC), which is working to ensure that civil society and women's groups are represented in the upcoming peace talks.
The Core Recommendations
In addition to highlighting the voices of Darfuris, the Elders' report aims to spur action from governments and other stakeholders in key areas. Specifically, it calls for:
-- Immediate cessation of violence by all parties
-- Full deployment of UNAMID peacekeepers with support from donor governments and the Sudanese authorities
-- Pressing for peace by implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between North and South, and unifying Darfuri rebels to negotiate with the government and civil society as soon as feasible
-- Building democracy, including the funding of a national census and approval of the electoral law and institutions
-- Protection of humanitarian agencies as they serve and protect the victims of the war
"The recommendations in this report can and should be done immediately," said Brahimi. "Donor governments need to fulfill and expand their commitments to UNAMID, and the Sudanese government needs to facilitate their deployment."
Moving Forward
The report, which is available on http://www.theelders.org/, also contains follow-on steps for the Elders and suggestions for the global community. They include:
-- In consultation and in coordination with the UN, the African Union, leaders from Africa and beyond, and Sudanese, the Elders will continue to pursue the goals in the report.
-- The Elders will support the Darfur-Darfur Dialogue to ensure that marginalized groups, including women and civil society organizations are represented at the Darfur peace talks.
-- The Elders will continue trying to facilitate full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
-- The Elders will continue reaching out directly to donor governments to fulfill and expand their UNAMID pledges and commitments.
-- The Elders will encourage discussion on compensation and reconstruction for affected Darfuris as a critical part of the overall agreement.
-- The Elders will continue supporting and advocating for the security and well-being of humanitarian aid agencies, their workers and displaced persons, whose lives in and around the camps are threatened on an ongoing basis.
Background:
Nelson Mandela announced the formation of The Elders, July 18th, 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa on the occasion of his 89th birthday. Founding members of The Elders are: Graca Machel, Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Li Zhaoxing, Mary Robinson and Muhammad Yunus.
"This group can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes on whatever actions need to be taken," Mandela commented. "Together we will work to support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict, and inspire hope where there is despair."
The Elders will use their unique collective skills to catalyze peaceful resolutions to long-standing conflicts, articulate new approaches to global issues that are or may cause immense human suffering, and share wisdom by helping to connect voices all over the world.
In addition to working independently, The Elders will work to complement, not duplicate or compete with the efforts of other organizations. They will seek opportunities to partner with established groups in ways that help shine a light on work already underway or to assist in bringing the group's efforts to another level.
For more information please visit: http://www.theelders.org/
The Elders
